Tailwind CSS Playground
Preview Tailwind CSS utility classes in real-time. Type class names and see the styled result instantly.
About This Tool
The Tailwind CSS Playground is a free browser-based tool that lets you experiment with Tailwind CSS utility classes and see the results instantly. Whether you're learning Tailwind for the first time, prototyping a component, or trying to remember the right class name, this tool gives you immediate visual feedback without spinning up a development server.
All processing happens entirely in your browser. The preview
element is rendered with real Tailwind CSS classes from the
site's existing stylesheet, and the computed styles panel
uses the native getComputedStyle() API to show you
exactly which CSS properties are being applied. No data is sent
to any server.
The tool includes an autocomplete system with hundreds of common Tailwind classes organized by category — layout, flexbox, grid, spacing, sizing, typography, colors, borders, effects, and more. Start typing and suggestions appear automatically, or browse the quick reference grid at the bottom to click-to-add classes.
You can test your styles across different viewport widths using the responsive preview toggle, switch between light and dark preview backgrounds, and try different HTML element types. The preset library provides starting points for common UI patterns like cards, buttons, badges, and hero sections that you can customize to your needs.
How to Use
- Type Tailwind CSS class names into the Tailwind Classes input field. Classes are applied to the preview element in real time.
- Use the autocomplete suggestions that appear as you type, or browse the Quick Reference grid to click and add classes.
- Change the Content field to customize what text appears inside the preview element.
- Select a different Element type (div, button, span, etc.) to see how the classes look on different HTML elements.
- Toggle the Background between light, dark, and checkerboard to check contrast and visibility.
- Switch the Viewport to test how your element appears at mobile, tablet, desktop, or full widths.
- Check the Computed CSS panel to see the actual CSS properties generated by your Tailwind classes.
- Click Copy HTML or press Ctrl+Shift+C to copy the generated HTML snippet.
- Try the Presets for ready-made component examples you can customize.
FAQ
Is my code processed on a server?
No. Everything runs entirely in your browser. The Tailwind classes are applied using the CSS already loaded on this page, and computed styles are read with the browser's native getComputedStyle API. No data is sent anywhere.
Why don't some Tailwind classes work?
This playground uses the Tailwind CSS classes that are already included in this site's stylesheet. Most common utility classes are available, but highly specific or rarely-used classes may not be present in the CSS bundle. Arbitrary value classes like w-[137px] also won't work unless they happen to be in the existing styles.
Can I test responsive breakpoints?
Yes. Use the viewport toggle to switch between Mobile (375px), Tablet (768px), Desktop (1024px), and Full width. This resizes the preview container so you can see how your element looks at different widths. Note that responsive prefix classes (sm:, md:, lg:) apply based on the actual browser viewport, not the preview container width.
How does the computed styles panel work?
The computed styles panel uses the browser's getComputedStyle() API to read the actual CSS properties applied to the preview element. It compares them against a bare element of the same type and only shows properties that differ from the defaults, so you see exactly what your Tailwind classes are doing.
What element types can I preview?
You can choose from div, button, span, p, h1, h2, input, and a (anchor). Different element types have different default browser styles, so the same Tailwind classes may look slightly different depending on the element.
Can I copy the generated HTML?
Yes. Click the 'Copy HTML' button or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+C to copy the generated HTML element with your classes applied. You can paste it directly into your project.
How do the presets work?
Presets are pre-built combinations of Tailwind classes for common UI patterns like cards, buttons, badges, alerts, avatars, and hero sections. Clicking a preset fills in the classes, content, and element type so you can see the result immediately and customize it from there.
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